Meltzer Center Services & Fees

At the Meltzer Center, clinical services are strictly confidential. No information is released without the written consent of the client (or the client's parent or guardian, in the case of children), except in cases where the client is an immediate risk to him or herself or others, or is the victim of child abuse or elder abuse.

Services Offered

The Meltzer Center provides evidence-based assessments and interventions for a range of psychological issues. This means we use the most effective approaches to assessment and treatment based on the integration of the best scientific evidence available, clinical judgment and the client's culture and preferences. View the American Psychological Association's Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology for more information.

Please note that the center is not able to provide medications or any form of medical care and does not take insurance.

Assessment

We provide assessment services to children, adolescents and adults. We offer intellectual, psycho-educational or comprehensive (psycho-educational and personality) assessments for a variety of client needs, including evaluations for diagnostic purposes.

Additionally, we offer a limited number of slots for admissions testing for Washington, D.C.-area independent schools. Our clinicians might also tailor assessments to help you best understand your current difficulties and situation. We provide written feedback in the form of a report and, with your consent, can submit reports to outside parties.

Therapy

Therapy can be an effective way to alleviate distress, discover better ways to solve problems, learn new ways of relating to others or to change long-term behavior problems. However, please be aware that therapy may involve the risk of remembering unpleasant events and may arouse other emotions, which may temporarily affect you and how you relate to others.

Child and Adolescent Therapy

We cover depression, anxiety, grief, disruptive behaviors, acting-out behaviors, school and peer-related problems and self-esteem and identity issues. We also serve children and adolescents adjusting to life stressors such as divorce, adoption, single-parent family and remarriage.

Adult Therapy

Services target difficulties such as depression, anxiety, relationship problems, bereavement, social interaction difficulties, ethnic and cultural concerns, self-doubt and poor self-esteem, career problems and sexual identity and orientation concerns. Psychological services are also provided for adjustment problems that arise after divorce, relocation, job loss and other traumatic experiences.

Appointments

Requesting Service by Phone

Call the Meltzer Center at 202-994-9072 to request services or inquire about availability or suitability. A telephone interview will be conducted to determine whether your needs match the services that the clinic provides. During this initial telephone screening interview, you will be asked a set of standard questions about demographic and contact information, as well as prior history of mental illness and goals for obtaining therapy or assessment services.

If the Meltzer Center can offer services to meet your needs, you will be assigned to a clinician for an intake appointment. Please note that due to the high demand for therapy and assessment services

Preparing for an Appointment

Therapy Sessions: Please bring paperwork documenting you or your family's income (e.g., a pay stub, recent W-2 forms or tax return), which will be used to verify the fee for the service.

Assessment Sessions:

Try to schedule the appointment during times when you are the most rested and alert. That will ensure your optimal performance during the assessment.

Before your testing appointment, get a good night of sleep and eat breakfast.

Please bring paperwork documenting you or your family's income (e.g., a pay stub, recent W-2 forms or tax return), which will be used to verify the total fee for the service. Unless you have been approved for a payment plan, you will be expected to submit the full fee.

Client Forms

Cancellations

If you cannot attend a session, the center requires a cancellation notice (24 hours in advance for therapy sessions and 48 hours for assessment sessions). Please call 202-994-9072 or email [email protected] to cancel. Patients who miss a session without appropriate cancellation will be billed for the session.

Fees and Insurance

Our fees are based on a sliding fee schedule and are scaled according to your family income and number of dependents. Payment may be made by cash or check, made out to the Meltzer Center. We do not accept credit cards and we do not bill insurance. If you experience financial difficulties and have trouble paying your balance, please notify your clinician as soon as possible so that we can discuss a payment plan.

Although we do not work directly with Medicare or any insurance carriers, we can provide you with the documentation you need to submit in order to try to obtain reimbursement.